Sf bay whale watching whale watching tours in san francisco. This makes san francisco the only major metropolitan city in the world to host a population of white sharks. The farallones host globally significant wildlife populations, including hundreds of thousands of seabirds and thousands of seals and sea lions. Daring rescue of whale off farallones humpback nuzzled. On a very clear day from the east bay hills, you can see the farallon islands popping above the horizon on the ocean, twentysix miles west of the golden gate bridge. To help limit exposure, as of march 12 we are suspending all inperson public programs and events, and closing our greater farallones visitor center at 991 marine drive in san francisco, until further. Our san francisco whale watch programs began in 1972, and have given thousands of people the opportunity to see and learn about the bay areas spectacular marine wildlife, including several. For those not in the know, the farallon islands, a restricted bastion of wildlife, are located 30 miles west of the san francisco coastline. Farallon islands whale watching san francisco join us on a day trip from san francisco to the wonderful and wild farallon islands, one of the most exciting marine environments on earth. The morning fog restricted our visibility to just a few hundred yards, but we were still able to spot another humpback just west of the golden gate bridge. Despite the inherent danger of great white attacks, the farallon islands are also a known migration spot for humpback whales, and a variety of other whale species like the blue whale. Areas of special environmental concern include three of the six epa candidate site yellow outline for disposal if dredge spoils from san francisco bay, and the large areal. Apr 29, 2020 farallon islands whale watching san francisco join us on a day trip from san francisco to the wonderful and wild farallon islands, one of the most exciting marine environments on earth.
Geology of the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. Farallon islands national wildlife refuge farallon islands. Greater farallones association is committed to promoting a safe community and doing our part to protect against the spread of the covid19 virus. San francisco whale tours offer whale and wildlife watching tours to the farallones yearround aboard the catamaran, kitty kat. In later years it was shorn of its lantern, but it remains in use.
Availability of the final eis for a project to eradicate invasive, introduced house mice on the south farallon islands. Jul 11, 2008 thats when whalewatching cruises to the farallon islands regularly spot feeding blue whales and their acrobatic cousins, the humpbacks, as well as a number of other marine mammal species. Farallon islands whale watching cruise saturday, july 26, 2003. They lie 27 miles 43 km outside the golden gate and 20 miles 32 km south of point reyes. It was an incredible, allday voyage, just 27miles from san.
If you are ready to contribute to our efforts to reduce ship strikes to whales along. The farallon islands are home to one of the most significant white shark populations on the planet, which are attracted to the islands for the abundant seal population. One of the highest lights in california, it was constructed in 1855 to warn ships approaching san francisco from the west away from the rocky islands. San francisco whale tours demonstrates the beauty and diversity of the bays bustling ecosystem with regular nature tours that trawl the coast. The farallon islands are the largest breeding seabird colony south of alaska on the west coast. Biologists serve as tour guides on the cruises and discuss the history, ecology and. Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and seals. The farallon islands, or farallones, are a group of islands and sea stacks in. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco.
The cluster of islands and sea stacks off san francisco are often hidden by a dense curtain of clouds. White sharks are migratory animals and begin arriving in the greater farallones national marine sanctuary in july and. The farallon islands are off limits to humans but not. Farallon islands whale watching from san francisco oceanic. Landing on the islands is not permitted, otherwise we would be disturbing nesting seabirds. A group of scuba divers rescued a 50footlong humpback whale that became entangled in crab fishing gear near the farallon islands. A killer whale was recorded killing a great white near the farallones in 1997. Point blue worked with cordell bank and the gulf of the farallones national. On saturday, i had the pleasure of going on one of the first boat trips to the farallon islands with the oceanic society this season. Select portions of a long boat trip with a few seconds of resident gray whales breaching. If weather conditions allow, we will head offshore to the edge of. The farallon islands national wildlife refuge is one of 63 national wildlife refuges that have congressionally designated wilderness status.
The farallon islands, or farallones, are a group of islands and rocks found in the gulf of the farallones, off the coast of san francisco, california, usa. Shark dive trip details dive with great white sharks in california. Plug in the words whale watching farallon into your search engine and the tour companies will be displayed. Bird watching trips have been big hits with photographers, too.
Upon departure from the dock on our may 20th farallon islands whale watching trip, our captain spotted a lone humpback whale deep inside san francisco bay, near sausalito, setting the stage for a great day. Timeline and video this video shows a male white shark as it was observed by researchers in october 2009 and again in october 2010 near the farallon islands and within greater farallones national marine sanctuary gfnms. Point blue worked with cordell bank and the greater farallones national marine sanctuaries to help designate new shipping lanes into the san francisco bay. San francisco whale watching tours sf bay whale watching. Sanctuary explorations greater farallones national. There are whale watching companies that do circle around the islands.
Thats when whalewatching cruises to the farallon islands regularly spot feeding blue whales and their acrobatic cousins, the humpbacks, as well as a number of other marine mammal species. This is a whale watching tour with the islands as a focus during the trip. Geology of the gulf of the farallones national marine. But when the fog lifts, the farallon islands can be seen from shore, their faint jagged forms. September 1, 2009 last weekend i took my annual pilgrimage to the summer home of the largest animal on the planet.
The farallon national wildlife refuge is a group of islands located 28 miles west of san francisco. Begins with the earliest map from 1603 through the spanish and mexican periods, the russian occupation of the islands, the war over eggs, the lighthouse keepers and their families, the american military occupation, and a thorough coverage of the teeming wildlife, birds and mammals, that. Whale watching trip to the farallon islands youtube. Biologists serve as tour guides on the cruises and discuss the history, ecology and biology of the. Blue whales were hunted in the gulf of the farallones from. Biology of blue whales in the gulf of the farallones and adjacent. Restaurants near oceanic society farallon islands whale.
Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and seals, harbor porpoises, and much more. Farallon islands national wildlife refuge farallon. Jun 06, 2016 on saturday, i had the pleasure of going on one of the first boat trips to the farallon islands with the oceanic society this season. Farallon islands whale watching, san francisco cityseeker. Farallon national wildlife refuge protects the largest seabird rookery in the contiguous u. Our 32 grand banks cimba one of the longest running farallon patrol vessels with documented trips to the islands that date back to the early 1970s.
May 22, 2016 the farallon islands are only 26 miles west of san francisco but feel remote. Current conditions, warnings and historical records. Sep 10, 2012 diegos whale watching trip to the san francisco farallon islands. The farallon islands are an oceanic eden, where the sea swirls with marine life, including whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles. Blue whale populations have been depleted as a result of commercial whaling conducted up to 1966. Download whale mapp for android whale alert west coast. Oceanic society farallon islands whale watching san. San francisco whale watching trip to the farallon islands. Restaurants near oceanic society farallon islands whale watching, san francisco on tripadvisor.
The sanctuary explorations series provides monthly opportunities for you to connect with, and experience, your national marine sanctuaries. Check out the farallon islands via cool new hd webcam. These wild and remote islands are rich with not only flora and fauna, but human history as well. Farallon islands live webcam california academy of sciences. All farallon patrol boats must be at least 35 in length for sailboats. The farallon islands are only 26 miles west of san francisco but feel remote.
Plan to dump rat poison on farallon islands questioned by california coastal commission 1 10 waves crash ashore on one of the farallon islands about 30 miles off the coast of san francisco. We will sail out to the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary with our captain and marine naturalists aboard the privately chartered kitty kat, a 65ft. Scuba divers rescue 50ton humpback whale near farallon. Every summer, from june through november, hundreds of blue whales, which at up to 108 feet in length, are larger than any dinosaur that ever lived, spend their days foraging around the farallon islands.
In years when upwelling does not occur, or is disrupted by anomalies in global weather patterns, such as in 2005 and 2006, these species may be absent or. During the current public health emergency, whenever possible, outdoor recreation sites at national wildlife refuges will remain open to the public. Diegos whale watching trip to the san francisco farallon islands. Every tour is accompanied by a naturalist familiar with the seabirds of our region. The farallon islands are located inside the san francisco city limits and only 29 miles west of the golden gate bridge. Shaded relief map of onshore and offshore areas in the san franciscosan jose, california region showing the farallon islands national marine sanctuary green outline.
In the seven years ive lived here, ive seen the islands from shore twice, possibly three times. The farallon islands farallones consist of several sparsely. A humpback whale freed by divers from a tangle of crab trap lines near the farallon islands nudged its rescuers and flapped around in what marine experts said was a rare and remarkable encounter. May 20, 2017 by chris biertuempfel upon departure from the dock on our may 20th farallon islands whale watching trip, our captain spotted a lone humpback whale deep inside san francisco bay, near sausalito, setting the stage for a great day. Begins with the earliest map from 1603 through the spanish and mexican periods, the russian occupation of the islands, the war over eggs, the lighthouse keepers and their families, the american military occupation, and a thorough coverage of the teeming wildlife, birds and. Mammals, birds and the farallon islands sfenvironment. The smell of the dead sharks carcass caused all nearby great whites to vanish. Sf bay adventures offers weekend trips to the islands with a naturalist on board. Join us for an exciting marine mammal wildlife trip along the san francisco bay and the northern california coastline. The farallon islands wsv shot and edited this video for the gulf of the farallones marine sanctuary visitor center in 2006. Views of the golden gate bridge, farallon islands, and gorgeous shorelines views of fort cronkite, muir beach, stinson beach, bolinas, double point, the point reyes national seashore and lighthouse pack some grub, grab a camera, and enjoy the trip of a lifetime on the adventurous pacific ocean. A great white with a satellite tag in the area was seen to immediately dive to a depth of 500 meters and then swam to hawaii.
I am crazy about this whole subject honestly, i love the sharks, i love learning about the whole farallones setup and ecosystem, and i could talk about it all day. Plan to dump rat poison on farallon islands questioned by. The farallon islands, or farallones are a group of islands and sea stacks in the gulf of the. On a warm spring day, the farallon islands are easy to see from san francisco and marin county they look like painted islands on the horizon, on the edge of. Watch from the deck as white sharks prey on the local seal population.
Weather conditions with updates on temperature, humidity, wind speed, snow, pressure, etc. Through these adventures we hope to inspire an ocean conservation ethic and wildlife etiquette through experiential learning while having fun and exploring the amazing habitats within and adjacent to the. The farallon islands, 26 miles west of ocean beach, are. Dec 14, 2005 a humpback whale freed by divers from a tangle of crab trap lines near the farallon islands nudged its rescuers and flapped around in what marine experts said was a rare and remarkable encounter. Chumming and using the public address system is not permitted within 3 miles of the islands.
The first and only history of the remote and inaccessible islands lying 26 miles outside the golden gate. Ample feeding opportunities provided by the seals using the farallon islands as breeding grounds means there are about 80 witnessed shark attacks on seals per year. Daring rescue of whale off farallones humpback nuzzled her. If visiting one of our locations, please ensure public health and safety by following guidance from the cdc and state and local public health authorities. The farallon islands have one of the worlds more significant populations of great white sharks. Farallon islands huell spends the day with biologists who live on the farallon islands known as californias galapagos found 27 miles off the coast of san francisco. Join us on a oneofakind journey to san franciscos farallon islands, home of one of the largest adult white shark populations on the planet. The refuge can also be explored virtually through a web cam provided by the california academy of sciences. These islands are home once a year to a wide range of migrating animal species not to mention a favorite feeding ground for some of the largest great whites in the world. The islands are populated by seals, sea lions, puffins, terns, cormorants, murres, and a plethora of other bird species. See views of the golden gate bridge, whales, porpoise, and more. Fish and wildlife service and are located nearly 30 miles off the coast of san francisco. The farallones are a mysterious place that time seems to have forgotten. Farallon patrol rules and procedures v3 point blue conservation science april 2014 page 4 of 5 reported to the commodore as soon a possible, leave his or her boat at the farallon islands.
Scuba divers rescue 50ton humpback whale near farallon islands. Anatomy of a farallon islands yachting tragedy sfgate. A boat trip offers passengers a view of seabirds, seals and whales. It sustains the largest sea bird breeding colony south of alaska and contains 30 percent of californias nesting sea birds. Sf bay whale watching provides whale watching and natural history expeditions from san francisco bay to the gulf of the farallones national marine sanctuary. About oceanic society farallon islands whale watching oceanic society is a nonprofit marine conservation organization founded in san francisco in 1969. Our big whale watching trip in san francisco last weekend, to the farallon islands. Located 28 miles off the coast of san francisco, southeast farallones island is actually comprised of two islands separated by a narrow crevasse. Farallon island light is a lighthouse on southeast farallon island, california. Hop aboard the kitty kat and let us show you the marine life that calls the bay home, including whales, sea lions, pelagic birds and more. The islands are also sometimes referred to by mariners as the devils teeth islands, in reference to the many treacherous underwater shoals in their vicinity. Look for humpback and blue whales, thousands of seabirds, dolphins, sea lions and seals, harbor porpoises. The oceanic society sponsors great cruises to those rocky islets 27 miles off the coast of the city.
The farallon islands are a nature preserve, home to sea lions, tufted puffins and the improbably monikered rhinoceros auklets, among others. The islands of the farallon islands national wildlife refuge are managed by the u. Farallon islands weather forecast, ca willyweather. Feb 12, 2017 my obsession with the farallon islands, and the great white sharks that surround them, all started with the devils teeth by susan casey. Til that an orca killed a great white shark near californias farallon islands in 2000.